Catholic Prayers

05 May, 2016

Traditional prayers are like family heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next. Here are some of ours: FREQUENT PRAYERS The Sign of the Cross In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. The Lord’s Prayer …to the Father (c/f New Testament: Mt.v6:9-13, alternativly Lk11.24 ) Our […]

Traditional prayers are like family heirlooms passed on from one generation to the next.
Here are some of ours:

FREQUENT PRAYERS

The Sign of the Cross

Our Father,who art in heaven,hallowed be thy name;thy kingdom come;thy will be doneon earth as it is in heaven.Give us this day our daily bread;and forgive us our trespassesas we forgive those who trespass against us;and lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from evil. Amen.

(A Second Ending: added after’ but deliver us from evil. ‘ )For thine is the kingdom,the power and the glory.forever and ever. Amen

The Jesus prayer (the pilgrim’s prayer)

O Jesus, Son of the living God, have mercy on me, a sinner.

Anima Christi (Soul of Christ)… after Communion

Soul of Christ, make me holy
Body of Christ, be my salvation
Blood of Christ, let me drink your wine
Water flowing from the side of Christ, wash me clean
Passion of Christ, strengthen me
Kind Jesus, hear my prayer
Hide me within your wounds
And keep me close to you
Defend me from the evil enemy
And call me at the hour of my death
To the fellowship of your saints
That I might sing your praise with them
for all eternity. Amen.

Prayer to the Holy Spirit

Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy His consolations, Through Christ Our Lord, Amen.

Glory Be to the Father… (The Doxology)

Glory be to the Father,
and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning,
is now, and ever shall be,
world without end.
Amen.

Daily Morning Prayer

O Jesus, through the most pure heart of Mary, I offer you all my prayers , works and sufferings of this day, for the intentions of your Sacred Heart and the intentions of our most holy father, Pope Francis. Amen

Angel of God, my Guardian dear, to whom God’s love commits me here, ever this day (or night) be at my side, to light and guard, to rule and guide. Amen.

Grace Before Meals

Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts,
which of thy bounty we are about to receive
through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Grace After Meals

We give Thee thanks Almighty God,
for all the benefits which we have received
through Christ our Lord.
Lord, bless all those who have worked so hard to prepare this food for us. AmenMay the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Prayer for a safe journey

“In the name of God I go on this journey. May God the Father be with me, God the Son protect me, and God the Holy Ghost be by my side. Amen.“

“Lord, be our guide and our protector on the journey we are about to take. Watch over us. Protect us from accidents. Keep us free from harm to body and soul.

Lord, support us with Your grace when we are tired. Help us be patient in any trouble which may come our way. Keep us always mindful of Your presence and love. Amen.“

St Christopher guide us safely home.

Biblical blessing for all occasions(Numbers 6:24-26)

May the Lord bless you and keep you; May the Lord let his face to shine on you, and be gracious to you; May the the Lord uncover his face to you, and bring you peace. Amen

Personal Act of Faith

O my God, I firmly believe that you are one God in three divine Persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
I believe that your divine Son became man and died for our sins, and that he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe these and all the truths which the holy Catholic Church teaches, because you have revealed them, who can neither deceive nor be deceived.
Amen.

The Apostles’ Creed.. an early Church prayer of Christian belief

I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth,
and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died and was buried;
he descended into hell;
on the third day he rose again from the dead;
he ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty
from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting. Amen.

The Nicene Creed ..c/f Council of Trent Church Prayer c/f the Mass

I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us (men) and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

Personal Act of Contrition

My God,
I am sorry for my sins with all my heart.
In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good,
I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things.
I firmly intend, with your help,
to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin.
Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us.
In his name, my God, have mercy.
Amen

Prayer to the Holy Family and a happy death

Jesus , Mary and Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.
Jesus , Mary and Joseph, assist me in my last agony
Jesus , Mary and Joseph, may my soul in peace with you forver

Prayer for a Happy Death

O God, great and omnipotent judge of the living and the dead, we are to appear before you after this short life to render an account of our works. Give us the grace to prepare for our last hour by a devout and holy life, and protect us against a sudden and unprovided death. Let us remember our frailty and mortality, that we may always live in the ways of your commandments.

Teach us to “watch and pray” (Lk 21:36), that when your summons comes for our departure from this world, we may go forth to meet you, experience a merciful judgment, and rejoice in everlasting happiness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayer for Students or before exams

Come, Holy Spirit, Divine Creator, true source of light and fountain of wisdom!
Pour forth your brilliance upon my limited intellect, dissipate the darkness which covers me, that of sin and of ignorance.
Grant me a penetrating mind to understand, a retentive memory, method and ease in learning, the lucidity to comprehend, and abundant grace in expressing myself.
Guide the beginning of my work, direct its progress, and bring it to successful completion.
This I ask through Jesus Christ, true God and true man, living and reigning with You and the Father, forever and ever.
Amen.

The Serenity Prayer –the common name for a prayer authored by the American theologian Reinhold Niebuhr (1892–1971). The first three lines are the most known and prayed.

God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,Courage to change the things I can,And wisdom to know the difference.
(Living one day at a time, Enjoying one moment at a time, Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace, Taking, as Jesus did, This sinful world as it is, Not as I would have it, Trusting that You will make all things right, If I surrender to Your will, So that I may be reasonably happy in this life, And supremely happy with You forever in the next. Amen.)

Prayer for peace – St. FrancisThe prayer is often attributed to St Francis Bernadone who was born in Assisi, Italy in 1181. (After living a carefree childhood and young adulthood filled with wealthy entertainment and pleasure, Francis fell ill at the age of 20 and his thoughts began to focus on eternity and his relationship with God. Francis turned from his wealthy lifestyle and decided to give his life over to the church. He passed in 1226 after rekindling the love of God among many thousands of people.)

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace, Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is dispair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy; O Divine Master, Grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console; To be understood as to understand; To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; It is in pardoning that we are pardoned; And it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

SACRAMENTS

Prayers for Baptism – Family prayer before the ceremony

Heavenly Father,
On this day of new beginnings, bless our child ……
with your grace and love, surround him/her with goodness, guide his/her steps along the way and keep him/her from harm.
Lord, smile upon him/her, and through your teachings may ….. find contentment through kind and thoughtful acts.
With the guidance & love of his Parents n….. and n….., his/her Godparents n ….. and …..n, and his/her dear Family & Friends, we pray ….. will lead a life full of happiness, faith and love for all.
Amen

Core Prayer of Baptism (as the water is poured on the child’s head.)

I baptise you ………
in the name of the Father,
and of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen

Confirmation – Prayer for Confirmation

Holy Spirit, strengthen …….
with your gifts of Wisdom, Understanding, Counsel, Fortitude, Knowledge, Piety, and Fear of the Lord,that he/she serve as a disciple of Christ.
Grant that she/he may grow into the fullness of the stature of Christ. Fill her/him with the joy
of your presence.
Increase in her/him the fruit of your Spirit. Help him/her to experience and trust your dwelling within, so that he/she can count on your guidance today and every day.
Show all of us the way to help one another become better disciples of Jesus Christ, sharing your
love with our world and with each person we meet.
Come, Holy Spirit! Come

Eucharist

Prayer before Communion

O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said to Your Apostles: “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you,” regard not my sins but the faith of Your Church, and deign to give her peace and unity according to Your Will: Who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.

O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, by the will of the Father, with the cooperation of the Holy Spirit, have by Your death given life to the world, deliver me by this Your Most Sacred Body and Blood from all my sins and from every evil. Make me always cling to Your commandments, and never permit me to be separated from You. Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.

Let not the partaking of Your Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but through Your goodness, may it become a safeguard and an effective remedy, both of soul and body. Who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.

Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul will be healed. (3 times.)

Prayer after Communion (by St Thomas Aguinas 13th Century)

I thank You, Lord, Almighty Father, Everlasting God, for having been pleased, through no merit of mine, but of Your great mercy alone, to feed me, a sinner, and Your unworthy servant, with the precious Body and Blood of Your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I pray that this Holy Communion may not be for my judgement and condemnation, but for my pardon and salvation. Let this Holy Communion be to me an armour of faith and a shield of good will, a cleansing of all vices, and a rooting out of all evil desires. May it increase love and patience, humility and obedience, and all virtues.
May it be a firm defense against the evil designs of all my visible and invisible enemies, a perfect quieting of all the desires of soul and body.
May this Holy Communion bring about a perfect union with You, the one true God, and at last enable me to reach eternal bliss when You will call me. I pray that You bring me, a sinner, to the indescribable Feast where You, with Your Son and the Holy Spirit, are to Your saints true light, full blessedness, everlasting joy, and perfect happiness. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Prayers for Penance/Reconciliation/Confession

Prayer before Confession

Receive my confession, O most loving and gracious Lord Jesus Christ, only hope for the salvation of my soul. Grant to me true contrition of soul, so that day and night I may by penance make satisfaction for my many sins. Savior of the world, O good Jesus, Who gave Yourself to the death of the Cross to save sinners, look upon me, most wretched of all sinners; have pity on me, and give me the light to know my sins, true sorrow for them, and a firm purpose of never committing them again.

Act of Contrition in Confession

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended you and I detest all my sins, because I dread the loss of heaven and the pains of hell. But most of all because I have offended you, my God, who are all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of your grace, to confess my sins, to do penance and to amend my life. Amen.

Prayer after confession

(After you say your penance as given by the priest this may be a prayer you might like to add this prayer)

Dear Jesus, I have told all my sins to the best of my ability. I have sincerely tried to make a good confession and I know that you have forgiven me. Thank you dear Jesus! Your divine heart is full of love and mercy for poor sinners. I love You dear Jesus; you are so good to me. My loving Saviour, I shall try to keep from sin and to love You more each day.

Dearest Mother Mary, pray for me and help me to keep all my promises. Protect me and do not let me fall back into sin. Dear God, help me to lead a good life. Without Your grace I can do nothing.
Amen!

Holy Orders

Prayer for an ordained deacons

Lord Jesus, you came to serve, not to be served,
form within us your generous spirit;
Fill us with your love,
that we may love the Father as your love him.
Fill us with your compassion,
that we may see our brothers and sisters
as you see them.
Fill us with your courage,
that we may give our lives in service to the Church
as you gave your life for her.
Fill us with that Spirit which will make us
preachers of your Word,
ministers of your Sacrifice,
servants of your Bride,
friends of the poor,
and the voice of the forgotten.
Transform us through your Holy Spirit
so that we may transform the world into
Your Kingdom of justice and faith.

Amen.

Prayers for priests

O Jesus, our great High Priest, Hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priest, Father ….. Give him a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of his priestly life.

In his loneliness, comfort him In his sorrows, strengthen him In his frustrations, point out to him that it is through suffering that the soul is purified, and show him that he is needed by the Church, he is needed by souls, he is needed for the work of redemption.

O loving Mother Mary, Mother of Priests, take to your heart your son who is close to you because of his priestly ordination, and because of the power which he has received to carry on the work of Christ in a world which needs him so much.

Be his comfort, be his joy, be his strength, and especially help him to live and to defend the ideals of consecrated celibacy.
Amen.

Prayer for Bishops

Heavenly Father,
in these trying times
when the spirit of the age
threatens Christian values,
give our bishop …… holiness of life
and wisdom to direct and guide our (arch)diocesan
family so that we may grow in your love.
We ask this through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Prayer for the Pope

O Lord, we are the millions of believers, humbly kneeling at Thy feet and begging Thee to preserve, defend and save the Sovereign Pontiff for many years. He is the Father of the great fellowship of souls and our Father as well. On this day, as on every other day, he is praying for us also, and is offering unto Thee with holy fervoUr the sacred Victim of love and peace.

Wherefore, O Lord, turn Thyself toward us with eyes of pity; for we are now, as it were, forgetful of ourselves, and are praying above all for him. Do Thou unite our prayers with his and receive them into the bosom of Thine infinite mercy, as a sweet savor of active and fruitful charity, whereby the children are united in the Church to their Father. All that he asks of Thee this day, we too ask it of Thee in union with him.

whether he weeps or rejoices, whether he hopes or offers himself as a victim of charity for his people, we desire to be united with him; nay more, we desire that the cry of our hearts should be made one with his. Of Thy great mercy grant, O Lord, that not one of us may be far from his mind and his heart in the hour that he prays and offers unto Thee the Sacrifice of Thy blessed Son. At the moment when our venerable High Priest, holding in His hands the very Body of Jesus Christ, shall say to the people over the Chalice of benediction these words: “The peace of the Lord be with you always,” grant, O Lord, that Thy sweet peace may come down upon our hearts and upon all the nations with new and manifest power.
Amen

Marriage

Prayer of the Newly, and not so newly, Married Couple
c/f Rite of Marriage (Veritas)

We thank you, Lord,
And we praise you
For bringing us
To this happy day.

You have given us to each other.
Now, together, we give ourselves to you.

And when life is over
Unite us again
Where parting is no more
In the kingdom of your love.

Sacrament of the Sick

“Extreme unction,” which may also and more fittingly be called “anointing of the sick,” is not a sacrament for those only who are at the point of death. Hence, as soon as any one of the faithful begins to be in danger of death from sickness or old age, the fitting time for him to
receive this sacrament has certainly already arrived.
Is anyone among you sick? He should summon the presbyters of the church, and they shouldpray over him and anoint [him] with oil in the name of the Lord, 15and the prayer of faith willsave the sick person, and the Lord will raise him up. If he has committed any sins, he will beforgiven. St James Letter 5:14-15

Family Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father,
With heavy hearts we come to You. You are Almighty Creator God; holy and full of grace and love. Our hearts are heavy because of a life that is leaving us. Death engulfs us Lord. Fear is waiting to take us down.

Thank You Father, that because of Jesus, You know our pain and sorrow intimately. Thank You that Jesus knows the way through this dark shadow. Take the hand of our dear sister/brother ….. and make Yourself known. Guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Keep that which is Your own and take it into eternity to be with You. In Jesus, death is but a shadow. Jesus has swallowed up its sorrows and pain. Thank You Jesus for the cross. Thank You Jesus for the resurrection.

Lord, we are before You, confessing that You are Lord of all; the gate keeper to eternal life. Your grace and love abound even as our sin seems ever increasing. Take our hands Lord and lead us through. We lay our fears at your feet. Your promise is that You — and You alone — will come to take us home. Psalm 23:4 prays “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me”

Marian prayers

Hail Mary

Hail Mary,
full of grace,
the Lord is with you.
Blessed are you among women,
and blessed is the fruit of your womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary,
Mother of God,
pray for us sinners,
now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Hail Holy Queen (Salve Regina)

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy,
hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope.
To you we cry, the children of Eve;
to you we send up our sighs,
mourning and weeping in this land of exile.
Turn, then, most gracious advocate,
your eyes of mercy toward us;
lead us home at last
and show us the blessed fruit of your womb, Jesus:
O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

The Magnificat (Lk 1:46-55)

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm,
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones,
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,|
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children forever.

The Memorare to Our Lady

Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother;
to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.

Stabat MaterStabat Mater Dolorosa, a thirteen hymn, is considered one of the seven greatest Latin hymns of all time. It is based upon the prophecy of Simeon that a sword was to pierce the heart of His mother, Mary (Lk 2:35). (Translation by Edward Caswall, Lyra Catholica (1849))

At the Cross her station keeping,
stood the mournful Mother weeping,
close to her Son to the last.

Through her heart, His sorrow sharing,
all His bitter anguish bearing,
now at length the sword has passed.

O how sad and sore distressed
was that Mother, highly blest,
of the sole-begotten One.

Christ above in torment hangs,
she beneath beholds the pangs
of her dying glorious Son.

Is there one who would not weep,
whelmed in miseries so deep,
Christ’s dear Mother to behold?

Can the human heart refrain
from partaking in her pain,
in that Mother’s pain untold?

For the sins of His own nation,
She saw Jesus wracked with torment,
All with scourges rent:

She beheld her tender Child,
Saw Him hang in desolation,
Till His spirit forth He sent.

The Rosary PrayerThe Rosary is a form of christian contemplation/prayer of fifteen moments in the life of Jesus for many centuries as seen through the mind of Mary. They were called the Joyful, Sorrowful and Glorious Mysteries of the Rosary. In 2002 Pope John Paul II proposed a fourth set of mysteries—the Mysteries of Light, or Luminous Mysteries. Here the mysteries are listed.

The Joyful Mysteries

The Annunciation: Mary learns that she has been chosen to be the mother of Jesus.
The Visitation: Mary visits Elizabeth, who tells her that she will always be remembered.
The Nativity: Jesus is born in a stable in Bethlehem.
The Presentation:Mary and Joseph take the infant Jesus to the Temple to present him to God.The Finding of Jesus in the Temple: Jesus is found in the Temple discussing his faith with the teachers.

The Mysteries of Light

The Baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan: God proclaims that Jesus is his beloved Son.The Wedding Feast at Cana:At Mary’s request, Jesus performs his first miracle.
The Proclamation of the Kingdom of God: Jesus calls all to conversion and service to the Kingdom.
The Transfiguration of Jesus: Jesus is revealed in glory to Peter, James, and John.
The Institution of the Eucharist: Jesus offers his Body and Blood at the Last Supper.

The Sorrowful Mysteries

The Agony in the Garden: Jesus prays in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night before he dies.
The Scourging at the Pillar: Jesus is lashed with whips.
The Crowning With Thorns: Jesus is mocked and crowned with thorns.
The Carrying of the Cross: Jesus carries the cross that will be used to crucify him.
The Crucifixion: Jesus is nailed to the cross and dies.

The Glorious Mysteries

The Resurrection: God the Father raises Jesus from the dead.
The Ascension: Jesus returns to his Father in heaven.: The Coming of the Holy Spirit
The Decent of the Spirit: The Holy Spirit comes to bring new life to the disciples.
The Assumption of Mary: At the end of her life on earth, Mary is taken body and soul into heaven.
The Coronation of Mary: Mary is crowned as Queen of Heaven and Earth.

The Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary,
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Hail Mary, etc…

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Be it done unto me according to Your Word.

Hail Mary, etc…

V. And the Word was made flesh,
R. And dwelt among us.

Hail Mary, etc…

V. Pray for us, O holy Mother of God.
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.

Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech You, O Lord,
Your Grace into our hearts;
that as we have known the incarnation of Christ,
your Son by the message of an angel,
so by His passion and cross
we may be brought to the glory of His Resurrection.
Through the same Christ, our Lord.
Amen.

Regina Caeli– mostly said during Paschal time in place of the Angelus

Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia.
For He whom you did merit to bear, alleluia.
Has risen, as He said, alleluia.
Pray for us to God, alleluia.
V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia.

Let us pray. O God, who gave joy to the world through the resurrection of Thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant we beseech Thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, His Mother, we may obtain the joys of eve.

Miraculous Medal Prayer

O Mary, conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee, and for those who do not have recourse to thee, especially the enemies of the Church and those recommended to thee. Amen.

Prayers to Angels and Saints

St. Joseph, the Protector of the Church

Father, you entrusted our Savior to the care of Saint Joseph.
By the help of his prayers may your Church continue to serve its Lord, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

St Francis Peace Prayer

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace:
where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
O divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

St Francis Canticle of the Sun

In “Canticle of the Sun,” Saint Francis of Assisi praises God for some of the wonders of the material world. Francis believed that everything in the natural world was a gift from God and, as such, deserved to be appreciated and valued. Because of this, Francis refers to the sun, wind, air, and fire as his brothers, and to the moon, stars, earth, water, and death as his sisters.

Be praised, my Lord,
For all your creatures,
And first for brother sun,
Who makes the day bright and luminous.

He is beautiful and radiant
With great splendour
He is the image of You,
Most high.
Be praised, my Lord,

For sister moon and the stars.
You placed them in the sky,
So bright and twinkling.

Prayer to St. Michael, Archangel

St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle;
be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray;
and do you, O prince of the heavenly host,
by the power of God,
thrust him and the other evil spirits
who prowl about the world for the ruin of souls far away from us.
Amen.

Family Prayers in times of particular stress

Prayers For Those Contemplating Suicide(- Vienna Cobb Anderson)

Most loving and forgiving God,
hear our prayers for all
who seek to end their life
by their own hand.
The despair is too great,
the loneliness is unbearable,
the inability to share
thoughts and feelings overwhelming,
the seeming lack of options a dead end.
Bless them with the strength of love
to meet each day with new courage;
friendships to bring moments of joy
in their days of anguish;
and hope for the future.
Amen.

Our Father…
Hail Mary …

For Those Who Have already Committed Suicide(- Vienna Cobb Anderson)

Bless, O God of eternal life,
all who have died
by their own hand.
Grant them peace
from their inner turmoil
and the compassion of your love.
Comfort those who mourn
their loved ones.
Strengthen them to face the questions of pain,
the guilt and anger,
the irreparable loss.
Help us to reach out in love
to others who prefer death
to the choices of life
and to their families who grieve.
Amen.

Our Father…
Hail Mary…

Prayer for Cancer sufferers

Prayer to Saint Peregrine, (patron of cancer sufferers)

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called “The Mighty,” “The Wonder-Worker,” because of the numerous miracles which you have obtained from God for those who have had recourse to you.
For so many years you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of our being, and who had recourse to the source of all grace when the power of man could do no more. You were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His Cross to heal your affliction. Ask of God and Our Lady, the cure of the sick whom we entrust to you.(Pause here and silently recall the names of the sick for whom you are praying)
Aided in this way by your powerful intercession, we shall sing to God, now and for all eternity, a song of gratitude for His great goodness and mercy.
Amen.

(St. Peregrine was born in 1260 at Forlì, Italy. He was widely known for his preaching, penances, and counsel in the confessional. He himself was cured of cancer, after he received a vision of Christ on the cross reaching out His hand to touch his impaired limb. He died in 1345 and was canonised in 1726. He was nominated the patron of cancer patients.)

Prayer for Mental disorder sufferers

Prayer to Saint Dymphna, (patron of cancer sufferers)

Good Saint Dymphna, great wonder-worker in every affliction of mind and body, I humbly implore your powerful intercession with Jesus through Mary, the Health of the Sick, in my present need. (Mention your particular need now)

Saint Dymphna, martyr of purity, patroness of those who suffer with nervous and mental afflictions, beloved child of Jesus and Mary, pray to Them for me and obtain my request.

(Add one Our Father, one Hail Mary and one Glory Be.)

Saint Dymphna, Virgin and Martyr, pray for us.

(According to tradition, St. Dymphna was Irish and martyred as a teenager in Gheel by her father in the 7th Century.Her relics were placed in a church built in her honour in Gheel, where she was martyred, and miraculous cures of mental disorders took place there in the centuries after her death.)

Prayers for Children

Caring for the Earth

Creator God,
your beauty and wonder are seen in your gifts of creation.

We praise you and thank you for all your works,
and for creating us in your image and likeness.

May the light you have put into our hearts shine brightly,
as we grow to be more caring and respectful of all creation,
and of one another.

This we pray in Jesus’ name, Amen

Caring for my Grandparents

Dear God please look after my Granny/Grandad, Help them to cope with the stress of life. I want them to embrace the things the love, without the worry and the strife. I love them very dearly and I this is why I pray Please God protect them, every night and every day.
Amen

In times of Stress

Tender God.

At this time of year, when many are worried and stressed, weary or tired,
Help us to remember that this time too will pass,
And that all that really matters Is how we love and are loved.

May we find comfort and support In your loving care of us.
Amen.

Help us to be kind and generous.

Good and gracious God,
You have made us to be like you,
to live and love in the Spirit of Jesus your Son.
May we grow to be open and generous in our giving to others.
And gracious and grateful in what we receive for all who give to us.
We make this prayer in Jesus’ name.
Amen.

Giving Thanks.

Gracious God, We give thanks to you for the many gifts you have given us.

For the earth below us and from the skies above us.
For the seas around us and from the mountains before us.
For the hearts of those who love us,
the kindness of those who care for us.

We also give thanks for…., (whatever you are thankful for today)

We thank you God for all your gifts to us.
Amen.

Help us to see the beauty around us

You take so much delight in our happiness and joy.
Open our eyes, ears and noses more to really
see, hear and smell the world around us,
the flowers, the birds, the trees, ice cream and elephants,
and the stirring of your Spirit in our lives.
So that our hearts can always live in the joy of your Presence.
As Jesus did.
Amen.

A Prayer for Pets

Heavenly Father, creator of all things,
Angels, people, animals, plants and pets.
Thank you for having entrusted us with such loyal friends.

Thank you for specially for letting my beautiful pet …….. teach me unselfish love.
Thank you for the love they shower on us,
the great memories they give
that we can recall to brighten our days for the rest of our lives.

Please Lord, look after my pets and all pets all over the world.
and all who care for them.
Amen

Useful practice after receiving communion and returning to your seat. Look up at the altar and make a prayer for pray each letter of the word ALTAR

A. I adore you Jesus present in me this very minute.
L. I love you Jesus with all my soul.
T. Thank you for coming to me today as food for my faith.
A. I ask you to help me be kind to all my family and friends today and always.
R. Help me to remember who I received i Holy Communion today